ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Digital platforms have to be responsive and accountable towards the sovereign concerns of countries: Ravi Shankar Prasad at G20 Digital Minister’s Meet
India to put in place a robust personal data protection law which will address the data privacy related concerns and ensure availability of data for innovation
The Union Minister also emphasized the need for building trustworthy Artificial Intelligence systems that can transform the society
A virtual meeting of G20 Digital Economy Ministers hosted by Saudi Arabia which is holding the presidency of G20, took place today. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology represented India during this virtual meeting. In the wake of global pandemic like COVDI19, Mr. Prasad strongly emphasized the need for building a resilient global supply chain and shared the vision of Prime Minister of India for making India as attractive destination for investment closely integrated with global supply chains.
Shri Prasad told this global gathering about how India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has managed the COVID19 crisis far better than many other countries. The bold decision of the Prime Minister to go for an early nationwide lockdown helped in the country in curbing the spread of the virus as well as prepare for the upcoming challenges effectively.
The Union Minister shared India’s digital innovations that helped in fight against COVID19. He spoke about initiatives like Aarogya Setu mobile app, geo-fencing system for monitoring quarantined patients and COVID19 Savdhan bulk messaging systems during this meeting. He also spoke about how digital technology helped the government of India in providing relief to the economically weaker sections of society during this crisis. Using digital innovations of India like Direct Benefit Transfers and digital payments even the weakest in the society was provided various financial relief during the lockdown.
Eloquently expressing India’s commitment to leverage emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence for inclusive growth and development specially in healthcare and education, Shri Prasad emphasized the need for building trustworthy Artificial Intelligence systems that can transform the society.
The Minister specially emphasized on the data related issues and sovereign rights of countries to protect data privacy and security of its citizens. He mentioned that India is soon going to put in place a robust personal data protection law which will not only address the data privacy related concerns of citizens but also ensure availability of data for innovation and economic development. In view of these concerns, the digital platforms having presence in many countries must become trustworthy, safe and secure. He told the digital Ministers of the G20 countries that it is time to acknowledge that digital platforms anywhere in the world have to be responsive and accountable towards the sovereign concerns of countries including defence, privacy and security of citizens.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Export Promotion Council Established for MSME Sector
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  has recently established an Export Promotion Cell with an aim to create a sustainable ecosystem for entire MSME development.The benefits likely to accrue to the MSMEs are:
- Evaluate readiness of MSMEs to export their products and services
- Recognize areas where improvements are required in order to be able to export effectively and efficiently
- Integration of MSME into global value chain. This was stated by Minister of State  for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,Giriraj Singh in theLok Sabha today, while replying to a question.
The MSME Minister further said that the current status of exports from the MSME sector as per the information received from Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics , the value of MSME related products is USD 147,390.08 million and share of MSME related products in the country’s exports was 48.56% during 2017-18.
To ensure efficient and effective delivery of all MSME export related interventions, the Ministry proposed to formulate a governing council that will be chaired by Secretary, M/o MSME and Co-chaired by Development Commissioner, M/o MSME. The council will comprise of senior officials and members from M/o MSME, Commerce, MSME Export Promotion Councils, Export Development Authorities, Commodity Boards, and other bodies.
An action plan is also proposed to be put in place toachieve the following objectives:
• Target of USD 100 billion of exports from India by 2020
• Evaluate readiness of MSMEs to export their products and services
• Recognize areas where improvements are required in order to be able to
export effectively and efficiently
• Integration of MSMEs into Global Value Chain.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
One more lab approved for batch-testing and release of Covid-19 Vaccines
National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad can now conduct quality check and consequent lot release of Covid-19 vaccines
Move aims to strengthen Vaccine Supply-chain and boost Largest Vaccine Drive
The Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working continuously and tirelessly to improve the production, supply and administration of Covid-19 vaccines. In an important initiative to ramp up the speed of vaccination, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , has approved one more lab for testing and lot release of Covid-19 vaccines.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has authorised National Institute of Animal Biotechnology  as Central Drug Laboratory  for testing and lot release of Covid-19 vaccines.
In order to discuss the various aspects of Covid-19 vaccination distribution in India, a meeting was organised under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary on November 11, 2020. In the meeting, the ministries and the departments like Department of Biotechnology , Department of Science and Technology  and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research  were asked to indicate to the Health Ministry if any of their labs can be converted for being used as CDL.
After due deliberations, DBT proposed two laboratories namely NIAB and National Centre for Cell Sciences , Pune for this purpose. Funds from Prime Minister Cares Fund Trust  were allotted for upgradation of these two laboratories.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation  had furnished a draft notification to the Union Health Ministry for notifying NIAB, Hyderabad as a CDL laboratory in response to which the Union Health Ministry has now notified NIAB, Hyderabad as a CDL laboratory.
It is pertinent to mention that NCCS, Pune has already been notified as a CDL laboratory on June 28, 2021 by MoHFW.
The notification of these two laboratories as CDL laboratories will improve vaccine production and will ultimately strengthen the vaccination campaign.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Assaying & Hallmarking Centres hallmarked more than 17 crore pieces of gold jewellery in 1.5 years
The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that, the number of gold hallmarking laboratories operational in the country as of date is 1374.
The Hallmarking had been made mandatory from 23 June 2021 only in 256 districts of the Country which had at least one recognized Assaying & Hallmarking Centre . Further, effective from 01 June 2022, the ambit of mandatory hallmarking was extended to 32 more districts, making the mandatory hallmarking regime applicable in 288 districts having at least one recognized AHC. Thus, the infrastructure is sufficient to cater to the demands of the districts wherein Hallmarking has become mandatory.
At present 1374 BIS Recognised AHCs, spread across 335 districts are under operation. The BIS Registered Jewellers can send their jewellery to any one of these centres. These AHCs have hallmarked more than 17 crore pieces of gold jewellery in the span of last 1.5 years since the implementation of mandatory hallmarking.
Setting up of A&H centres is a market driven activity where decision to open an AHC at a particular location is taken by the private entrepreneur based on the demand at that location. After the implementation of the mandatory hallmarking order, the number of BIS Recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres have increased from 942 to 1374 in the span of 1.5 years. Further, Govt. also provides Central Assistance to prospective entrepreneurs for 'Setting up of Gold Assaying and Hallmarking Centres' in India in locations where no Assaying & Hallmarking Centre  exists. BIS has also launched the scheme for setting up of Offsite centres  by the BIS recognised AHCs with the objective to provide the jewellers easy access to the hallmarking facility.
Ministry of Defence
Management of COVID-19
The details of manpower deployed for supporting civil hospitals in management of COVID-19 is as follows:
- Medical Officer & Specialists -602
- Nurses - 224
- Paramedics - 1802
236 Short Service Commission officers, who were due for release on completion of period of engagement were granted extension in view of the pandemic.
Also, Government approved a scheme called ‘Tour of Duty’ for recruitment of Ex-Armed Forces Medical Services  Medical Officers and Ex-Military Nursing Service  officers released from service since 2017 on contractual basis.
Response to the “Tour of Duty” offered to retired doctors of three Services to re-join and perform duties for COVID relief has been gradual and is entirely based on the dynamic need and severity of COVID Pandemic, which is now on the decline.
The Armed Forces Medical Services deployed technical manpower in terms of Physicians, Anaesthestists, Post Graduate Residents, Medical Officers, Hospital Administrators, Nurses and Para Medical Staff on COVID-19 patient care duties.
Further, veterans’ services were utilized for providing tele-consultation on e-Sanjeevani platform. Total 100 AFMS veterans were registered on the portal and have provided over 22000 tele-consultations.
The state authorities provided support in terms of services such as security, fire fighting, bio-medical waste management, mortuary services, referral and ambulance services etc. They also played an important role in ensuring oxygen supply, pre-fabricated hangers for patient housing and all medical equipment necessary for patient care.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shrimati Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Proposal to set up Military Recruitment Centres in Gujarat
The Indian Army conducts Recruitment Rallies across the country covering all districts at least once a year. Applications are invited online and candidates called in batches for selection with equal opportunity to all irrespective of region. Two Army Recruitment Offices are located in Gujarat at Ahmedabad and Jamnagar for the entire State.
Air Force Selection Board in Gandhinagar covers Gujarat conducts online examination twice a year for Officers and Airmen. The Indian Navy also conducts online recruitment examination twice a year at Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Surat and physical and medical tests at Jamnagar.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Naranbhai J. Rathwa in Rajya Sabha today.
Nampi/HS
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India's COVID-19 recoveries cross the historic peak of 1.5 million
Highest ever single day recoveries of 54,859 today
Recoveries exceed the active cases by more than 9 lakh
Case Fatality Rate touches a new low of 2%
India's COVID-19 recoveries have crossed the historic peak of 1.5 million today. Recovery of 15,35,743 patients has been made possible because of the policy of TESTING aggressively, TRACKING comprehensively & TREATING efficiently. Better ambulance services, focus on Standard of Care and use of non-invasive oxygen have given the desired results.
With the highest ever single day recoveries of 54,859 in the last 24 hours, the Recovery Rate amongst the COVID-19 patients has scaled another high of almost 70%.
The record high recoveries have ensured that the actual caseload of the country viz. the active cases has reduced and currently comprises only 28.66% of the total positive cases. India has posted more than 9 lakh recoveries than the active cases .
The coordinated efforts of Centre and State/UT governments on early detection through aggressive testing and efficient clinical management of hospitalized cases have shown results with continuously regressing Case Fatality Rate. It is 2%, as on date, and steadily declining. Early identification of cases has also led to steeply falling percentage active cases.
Early identification helps to ensure timely and prompt isolation of the mild and moderate cases and hospitalisation of the severe and critical cases thereby leading to effective management of cases.
It is important to note that the COVID-19 infection still remains concentrated in 10 States that contribute more than 80% of the new cases. The aggressive testing and tracking through house-to-house surveys and well implemented containment strategies and surveillance in these areas may lead to an initial increase in positive cases. However, well implemented strategies will ensure it reduces over time.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf
Ministry of Finance
1,00,255 claims paid amounting to Rs. 1,990.57 crore under PMSBY
5,93,316 claims paid amounting to Rs. 11,866.32 crore under PMJJBY
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana  and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana  were launched on 9.5.2015. The rules of the schemes provided, inter-alia, that the premium would be reviewed based on annual claims experience. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Giving more details, the Minister stated that as on 6.7.2022, the schemes have offered benefits by way of 1,00,255 claims paid amounting to Rs. 1,990.57 crore, and 5,93,316 claims paid amounting to Rs. 11,866.32 crore under PMSBY and PMJJBY respectively.
The Minister stated that the Government constituted a Committee, headed by Member, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India , for reviewing premium rates for PMJJBY and PMSBY. The Committee, inter-alia, recommended upward revision of premium rates for PMSBY and PMJJBY in order to keep the schemes viable.
Subsequently, the Minister stated, IRDAI, during its review of the schemes in 2022, also recommended increase in premium rates as the aggregate claim ratios for PMJJBY and PMSBY were more than 100% each, for the period up to 31.3.2022 since inception.
Giving more details, the Minister stated that keeping in view the recommendation of the Government constituted Committee and IRDAI, the premium rates of the schemes have been revised from Rs. 330 to Rs. 436 per annum per subscriber under PMJJBY and from Rs. 12 to Rs. 20 per annum per subscriber under PMSBY. This works out to a premium of only Rs 1.25 per day for both the schemes, making it one of the most affordable insurance covers, globally.
PMJJBY and PMSBY are universal social security schemes that are open to all in the specified age groups and are not specific to people living below the poverty line or any other such specific group, the Minister stated.
The Minister further state that as on 31.5.2022, the following private insurance companies were implementing PMJJBY and PMSBY:
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Scheme
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Name of the insurer
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PMJJBY
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Bharti AXA Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
Exide Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
PNB MetLife India Insurance Co. Ltd.
SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
TATA AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd IndiaFirst Life Insurance Co. Ltd
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PMSBY
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Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd
Bharti AXA General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Future Generali India Insurance C. Ltd.
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Tata AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Jal Shakti Abhiyan -I  was launched in 2019 in 1592 blocks in 256 water stressed districts of the country to promote water conservation and water resource management by focusing on accelerated implementation of five targeted interventions viz. water conservation and rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies, reuse of water and recharging of structures, watershed development and intensive afforestation. Besides, the special interventions included development of Block Water Conservation Plans and District Water Conservation Plans, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Melas, Urban Wastewater Reuse and 3D contour mapping of all villages.
Later on the scope of JSA 2019 was expanded and “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain”  with the theme “Catch the Rain - Where it Falls When it Falls” was taken up to cover all the blocks of all districts  across the country during 22nd March 2021 to 30th November 2021 - the pre-monsoon and monsoon period. JSA:CTR 2021 campaign had five focused interventions-  rainwater harvesting & water conservation  enumerating, geo-tagging & making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific plans for water conservation  Setting up Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts  intensive afforestation and  awareness generation.
"Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain”  -2022, the third in the series of JSAs, has been launched on 29.3.2022 to cover all the blocks of all districts  across the country during 29th March 2022 to 30th November 2022 - the pre-monsoon and monsoon period. The targeted interventions of the campaign in the current year are  water conservation and rainwater harvesting  enumerating, geo-tagging & making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific plans for water conservation based on it  Setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts  intensive afforestation and  awareness generation. In this campaign, additional activities/ sub-interventions have been incorporated under the intervention 'water conservation & rainwater harvesting' which include spring shed management, protection of water catchment areas and creation/ renovation of 'amrit sarovars'.
The steps taken by the Government for conservation and minimizing wastage of water include implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme , Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana , Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation , Unified Building Bye Laws  of Delhi, 2016, Model Building Bye Laws , 2016 and Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation  Guidelines, 2014, Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s  advisories to the State/UT Panchayati Raj Departments, Atal Bhujal Yojana , Central Ground Water Authority’s  guidelines for control and regulation of groundwater extraction with pan-India applicability notified on 24 September 2020, Central Pollution Control Board’s  directives under the Environment  Act, 1986 and The Water  Act 1974 etc. National Water Policy  also advocates conservation, promotion and protection of water.
This information was given by the Minister of State, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
LIST OF GALLANTRY AWARDS TO INDIAN NAVAL PERSONNEL APPROVED BY PRESIDENT SMT DROUPADI MURMU ON THE EVE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY 2023
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu,has approved following Gallantry awards to Indian Navy personnel on the eve of Independence Day 2023.
Nao Sena Medal 
- CdrHanish Singh Karki
- CdrKaustab Banerjee
- Lt CdrPannerselvam Vishnu Prasanna
Citation of Nau Sena Medal  Awardees 2023.
 Cdr Kaustab Banerjee
 Lt Cdr Pannerselvam Vishnu Prasanna
Ministry of Women and Child Development
BUDGETARY ALLOCATION ON POSHAN ABHIYAAN
POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched on 8th March 2018 with an aim to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children under 6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. POSHAN Abhiyaan addresses malnutrition issues across the nation through components like ICT Application, Convergence, Community obilization, Behavioural Change & Jan Andolan, Capacity Building, Incentives and Awards, and Innovations.
Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme which subsumes Supplementary Nutrition Programme and POSHAN Abhiyaan, has been announced in budget 2021-2022 for all States/UTs to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition. Steps have also been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing, strengthen delivery and leverage technology under Poshan Tracker a robust ICT enabled platform, to improve governance with regard to real time monitoring and provisioning of supplementary nutrition for prompt supervisions and management of services. The Abhiyaan empowers Anganwadi workers and Lady Supervisors by providing them with smart phones, and as of now the no. of smart phones and Growth Monitoring Devices  procured by States/UTs are 11.03 lakh and 11.94 lakh respectively.
Guidelines were issued for transparency and accountability in delivery of supplementary nutrition and to track nutritional outcomes on 13.01.2021. The details of funds distributed to State Governments since 2017-2018, State-wise and year-wise is at Annexure I.
As on 30th June 2021, a total of 9,12,32,915 beneficiaries are availing benefits under POSHAN Abhiyaan as per the ICDS RRS report. The category wise detail of beneficiaries is at Annexure II.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.